Gaza ceasefire must be a first step towards justice

Reacting to the announcement of the first stage of a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Oxfam Ireland CEO, Jim Clarken, said:

“The announcement of the ceasefire today is very welcome. This ceasefire cannot be a temporary pause in violence but must be a permanent end to the bloodshed, suffering and destruction wreaked on the people of Gaza over these past two years. We have witnessed a man-made famine, the deliberate destruction of infrastructure, and the targeting of civilians. This is not a conflict - it is a calculated campaign of collective punishment. Most of Gaza’s hospitals, schools and homes have been destroyed.

This ceasefire must be the first step toward justice, not a reset button for further atrocities. The return of hostages on both sides is imperative, and we must continue to demand justice and freedom for Palestinians on their own land without concessions.

Today must also mark the beginning of a permanent end to Israel’s illegal occupation and the systematic oppression of Palestinians. The world's most powerful states cannot continue to be complicit in the starvation, displacement and bombing of an entire population into oblivion.

Israel’s military presence in Gaza and the West Bank is not just a security issue: it is the machinery of suppression and genocide. The international community must accompany Palestine in the coming months and years to create a viable independent, secure and sustainable state and demand full accountability for war crimes.

There is extreme urgency now on ensuring that impartial humanitarian aid reaches civilians without obstruction.”

Oxfam International’s Executive Director Amitabh Behar said:

“Israel’s deliberate use of starvation, forced displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure over the past two years must be investigated as crimes under international law and those responsible held to account. A ceasefire marks only the beginning. It stops the killing and must pave the way for the next phase: preparing the ground for a sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation. This process cannot succeed without justice and accountability at its core, to prevent impunity and ensure the cycle of violence is not repeated.

“This moment must mark a shift toward an authentic, inclusive process grounded in human rights, equality, and dignity for all. World leaders must ensure that this ceasefire is upheld by all parties, that those who committed war crimes are investigated and prosecuted and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is upheld.”